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Carmat Heart Implant Could Help Thousands of Patients

Paris: Biomedical firm Carmat announced first artificial heart transplant on Friday. The patient aged in 70s (name withheld) at Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris was conscious and speaking to relatives, as per official statement. Carmat CEO Marcello Conviti was delighted about the first implant. He added that it will be premature to draw conclusions and the medical team is keeping close watch on the patient in intensive care unit.

Carmat artificial heart would beat for five years and weighs nearly 3 times the real heart at 900 grams. The company aims to help thousands of patients who die waiting for a donor for heart transplant. The company will implant the device in three patients in coming weeks. In next phase, the company will carry on implants in 20 more patients next year.

While congratulating the medical team, French health minister said, “This news brings great pride to France. It shows the advancement of France in healthcare and medical innovation.”

The Carmat artificial heart would cost around Euro 135,000 – 150,000. As per company estimates, nearly 100,000 patients in Europe and United States are in need of heart transplant.

During the first phase of trials, the company will access the medical condition of patients after one month of implant. Carmat has been authorized for carrying out transplants in France, Poland, Belgium, Saudi Arabia and Slovenia.

As per reports published in Le Monde on Saturday, the company could look for investors to expand its operations after success of phase I trials. Truffle Capital funded launch of Carmat. In second series of funding, Carmat raised funds from stock market in year 2011.

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